The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1116-4EE42-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker rated at 160 A continuous current, configured for line protection with a TM220 thermal-magnetic release. The TM220 designation means the thermal element is fixed at the frame rating while the magnetic pickup is adjustable — in this case the li max (instantaneous trip threshold) is adjustable up to 1,600 A, giving you a 10:1 range over the 160 A frame to coordinate with downstream branch devices or motor inrush. Breaking capacity sits at 121 kA at 240 V AC, 75.6 kA at 415 V, and still delivers 11.9 kA at 690 V — a strong short-circuit withstand across common industrial voltage levels. That 121 kA at 240 V means this MCCB can interrupt a fault on a high-capacity 240 V distribution transformer without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream, which simplifies panel coordination studies. Current rating is temperature-sensitive: the breaker carries a full 160 A up to 50 °C ambient, then derates gradually to 150 A at 70 °C. If your panel internal ambient runs above 50 °C, size the load at the 70 °C column — 150 A — not the nameplate 160 A. Power dissipation is 38 W at rated load, which matters for enclosure thermal calculations in a sealed non-ventilated panel.
Panel fit and integration
Footprint is 101.6 mm wide (4 in), 130 mm tall, 70 mm deep — a standard SENTRON 3VA frame size that drops into existing 3VA panel cutouts and busbar systems without re-drilling. The front face carries IP40 protection, meaning tools and fingers are kept out but the breaker is not sealed against water ingress — mount it inside a deadfront enclosure, not exposed to washdown. The breaker accepts an optional motor drive (Product Extension / Optional / Motor Drive = Yes), so it can be remotely tripped or reset via a shunt or undervoltage release — useful for emergency-off circuits or remote disconnect schemes. No communication function or ground-fault monitoring is built in; those are separate accessory modules.
Rated insulation voltage (Ui) is 800 V, and maximum operational voltage for DC circuits is 600 V — the breaker can be applied in DC distribution panels up to that level, though the short-circuit performance in DC must be verified against the manufacturer's DC derating curves referenced in the 3VA device manual. Storage temperature range is -40 °C to 80 °C, operating ambient -25 °C to 70 °C. The storage minimum of -40 °C means the breaker can sit in an unheated warehouse or shipping container in winter without damage; the operating minimum of -25 °C covers cold indoor environments but not deep-freeze applications.